Instruction manual

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Details you need include (the checklist is in Attachment 1):
a. What and where is the target? Get the exact location of the target(s).
Even though the customer just gives you a name or location (e.g., the
“Lake Meredith” dam or the “southwest part of Pampa”), try to define the
target location by at least two forms of navigational information such as
Lat/Long and VOR radial/DME. Also ensure that you get a good verbal
description of the target.
b. How the target and surrounding features should be photographed. Some
questions to ask are:
1) Is the target a single feature or facility, such as a building? If so, do
they want as close a picture as possible (e.g., completely filling the
frame)?
2) Does the customer want to see the target and its environs to allow a
larger perspective?
3) Does the customer want to see roads and/or power lines leading to or
from the target? If so, how far out from the target? You need this
information to determine if you can get the desired results in one
photo without losing the desired level of detail. You make have to
take several photos to get the desired results.
4) Does the customer want to see the extent of flooding below a dam or
levee, or the entire trail of debris from a tornado?
5) Does the customer want wide photos followed by close-ups?
6) Does the customer want the photos taken from a certain altitude
(AGL) or from a specific angle to the target? Or is it OK to change
altitudes and/or zoom as necessary to get the best shot? This will
affect how you plan and fly the imaging pattern.
c. Does the customer care about lighting conditions over the target area?
The customer may not want photos taken under a heavy overcast, or in
early morning or late afternoon light. Note: Commercial aerial
photography flight times are usually limited to between three hours after
sunrise and three hours before sunset; this ensures the sun angle is at
least 30° above the horizon.
d. What information do they want to accompany the photos (or be included
in a video’s audio commentary)? Accompanying information may include:
1) Altitude (MSL or AGL, or both)
2) Latitude and Longitude
3) Time (local or Zulu)
4) Distance from target (nautical or statue miles)
5) Direction to target (e.g., looking South)
6) Angle to target (e.g., 45°)
e. What photo format do they want? Do they want JPEG or an
uncompressed photo (e.g., TIF or RAW) or both? This also helps you